Common use of Credit Reimbursement Clause in Contracts

Credit Reimbursement. 1. Effective July 1, 2016, those Professional Employees taking courses for permanent certification, in an approved Master’s Degree program, or an approved Doctoral Degree program, the Employer shall reimburse six (6) credits per year at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education tuition rate or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. For those Professional Employees not taking courses to achieve permanent certification, a Master’s Degree or a Doctoral Degree, the Employer shall reimburse employees to a maximum of six (6) credits per year at the PASSHE tuition rate or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. However, those Professional Employees must take courses found within a Master’s Degree program or Doctoral Degree program for the university in which they are obtaining credits. Effective July 1, 2016, a Doctorate Degree column shall be added to the salary schedule. Each step of the column shall be $1,000 higher than the corresponding step on the Masters+45 column. 2. Professional Employees wishing to obtain credits outside of the Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree programs shall submit the request to the Superintendent, along with rationale for taking the credits, for approval by the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall approve all credits on a case-by- case basis; however, the Superintendent shall not deny reimbursement for arbitrary capricious reasons. When requested by the Association President, the Superintendent will provide a current, updated list of all professional employees approved/denied credit reimbursement for the school year. These credits shall be eligible for movement on the salary schedule beginning at the start of the next school year. Movement on the salary schedule shall be applied retroactive should receipt of supporting documentation be delayed by the university or college. 3. All courses must be taken in an accredited or District approved educational institution and must be related to the Professional Employee’s professional growth within the District. Prior approval must be obtained in writing from the Superintendent for all reimbursable courses. Reimbursement shall be made only upon successful completion of a course. In the event of a Professional Employee who receives such reimbursement, leaves the services of the District within one (1) year of the completion of the credits, the Professional Employee shall reimburse the District for the same. 4. Professional Employees shall be limited to six (6) online credits per year, unless the Professional Employee is enrolled in an approved Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree program which requires more online courses. 5. At the Professional Employee’s request, the District will pre-pay tuition upon enrollment for credits, provided the Professional Employee has received the necessary pre-approval and submits a completed enrollment form which can be sent with the payment to the college or university. Professional Employees who fail to submit verification of grade(s) within forty-five (45) days of completion of the course or who fail to satisfactorily complete the course, shall reimburse the District through deductions from their paycheck. Pre-payment of college/in-service credits shall be made at the rate of the full tuition charge for credits, unless otherwise reimbursed. 6. The Superintendent has the right to approve a request for reimbursement of more than six (6) credits if in his/her determination the credits shall be a benefit to the educational needs of the District.

Credit Reimbursement. 1. Effective July 1, 2016, those Professional Employees taking courses for permanent certification, in an approved Master’s Degree program, or an approved Doctoral Degree program, the Employer The Board shall reimburse six teachers for graduate credits at the New Jersey State College tuition rate with a maximum of twelve (612) credits per school year at the Pennsylvania State System per teacher upon receipt of Higher Education tuition rate or the equivalent amount an official transcript showing satisfactory completion of reimbursement when calculating the ratea course with a passing grade. For those Professional Employees not taking courses to achieve permanent certification, a Master’s Degree or a Doctoral Degree, the Employer shall reimburse employees to a maximum of six (6) credits per year at the PASSHE tuition rate or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. However, those Professional Employees must take courses found within a Master’s Degree program or Doctoral Degree program for the university in which they are obtaining credits. Effective July 1, 2016, a Doctorate Degree column shall be added to the salary schedule. Each step of the column shall be $1,000 higher than the corresponding step on the Masters+45 column. 2. Professional Employees wishing to obtain credits outside of the Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree programs shall submit the request to the Superintendent, along with rationale for taking the credits, for It is also agreed that prior notification and approval by the SuperintendentSuperintendent before enrollment in any course or program is mandatory to eliminate a misunderstanding after completion of a course or program as to whether or not it qualifies for reimbursement. The Superintendent shall approve all credits on a case-by- case basis; however, the Superintendent shall Approval will not deny reimbursement be withheld for arbitrary capricious reasons. When requested by the Association President, the Superintendent will provide a current, updated list of all professional employees approved/denied credit reimbursement for the school year. These credits shall be eligible for movement on the salary schedule beginning at the start of the next school year. Movement on the salary schedule shall be applied retroactive should receipt of supporting documentation be delayed by the university or college. 3. All courses must be taken in an accredited or District approved educational institution and must be directly related to the Professional Employee’s professional growth within the Districtteacher's field of study, courses required in a degree program in your major field of study or courses required in a Master of Education program. Prior All other courses need prior Superintendent approval must be obtained before enrollment in writing from the Superintendent order to qualify for all reimbursable courses. Reimbursement reimbursement which shall be made only upon successful completion at the Superintendent's discretion. The Board of Education will appropriate a courseyearly amount of $70,000 (2006-2007), $75,000 (2007-2008), and $80,000 (2008-2009) during the term of this contract for credit reimbursement under this Article. In the event the total amount sought by all of a Professional Employee who receives such the members shall exceed the pre-stated limit for credit reimbursement, leaves such excess shall be borne by the services members, prorata. Course credits taken during the summer and fall sessions will be reimbursed in February of that school year. All course work applications for the spring term of each school year must be submitted for approval ten (10) days prior to the second regular Board meeting of the District within one Phillipsburg Board of Education in February. Effective with the 1992-93 school year, the following reimbursement schedule shall be enacted: (1a) year Course credits taken during the summer shall be reimbursed in October at fifty per cent (50%) of the completion of the credits, the Professional Employee shall reimburse the District for the same. 4. Professional Employees shall total due to be limited to six (6) online credits per year, unless the Professional Employee is enrolled in an approved Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree program which requires more online courses. 5. At the Professional Employee’s request, the District will pre-pay tuition upon enrollment for credits, provided the Professional Employee has received the necessary pre-approval and submits a completed enrollment form which can be sent with the payment to the college or university. Professional Employees who fail to submit verification of grade(s) within forty-five (45) days of completion of the course or who fail to satisfactorily complete the course, shall reimburse the District through deductions from their paycheck. Pre-payment of college/in-service credits shall be made at the rate of the full tuition charge for credits, unless otherwise reimbursed. 6(b) Course credits taken during the fall and the remaining fifty per cent (50%) of summer course reimbursement shall be paid in February, provided that the notifications of courses being taken in the spring, added to the summer and fall courses, will not yield a total reimbursement amount exceeding the Board's appropriation for that year. The Superintendent has If the right total reimbursements requested for the full school year exceed that appropriation, reimbursement in February shall be adjusted prorata among all applicants to approve a request cover the difference between the requested reimbursements and the available funds. (c) Course credits taken during the spring and submitted for reimbursement of more no less than six fourteen (614) credits if days prior to the second pay period in his/her determination the credits June shall be a benefit to reimbursed no later than the educational needs second pay period in June, at their full amount or at the prorated amount described in Paragraph "b." above. If less than full reimbursement was made in February, and the number of requests for actual reimbursement for spring courses is less than the Districtnumber of notifications, then the remaining available funds shall be added into the following year's allotment.

Credit Reimbursement. 1. Effective July 1, 2016, those Professional Employees taking courses Administrators who possess a Bachelor’s degree shall receive reimbursement for permanent certification, graduate and/or in-service credits at a rate up to the Pennsylvania State University graduate credit rate in an approved Master’s Degree program, or an approved Doctoral Degree program, effect during the Employer shall reimburse six semester in which the course was taken for a maximum of twelve (612) credits per year at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education tuition rate or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. For those Professional Employees not taking courses to achieve permanent certification, a Master’s Degree or a Doctoral Degree, the Employer shall reimburse employees to a maximum of six (6) credits per year at the PASSHE tuition rate or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. However, those Professional Employees must take courses found within a Master’s Degree program or Doctoral Degree program for the university in which they are obtaining credits. Effective July 1, 2016, a Doctorate Degree column shall be added to the salary schedule. Each step of the column shall be $1,000 higher than the corresponding step on the Masters+45 column. 2. Professional Employees wishing to obtain credits outside of the Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree programs shall submit the request to the Superintendent, along with rationale for taking the credits, for approval by the Superintendentfiscal year. The Superintendent shall approve all credits on a casemay grant approval for administrators to have release time to attend graduate or post-by- case basis; howevergraduate course work, the Superintendent shall provided it does not deny reimbursement for arbitrary capricious reasons. When requested by the Association President, the Superintendent will provide a current, updated list of all professional employees approved/denied credit reimbursement for the school year. These credits shall be eligible for movement on the salary schedule beginning at the start of the next school year. Movement on the salary schedule shall be applied retroactive should receipt of supporting documentation be delayed by the university or college. 3. All courses must be taken in an accredited or District approved educational institution and must be related to the Professional Employee’s professional growth within the District. Prior approval must be obtained in writing from the Superintendent for all reimbursable courses. Reimbursement shall be made only upon successful interfere with completion of a coursejob responsibilities. In The Superintendent may grant approval for Act 93 Employees to exceed the event of a Professional Employee who receives such reimbursementtwelve (12) credit limit. The Superintendent may grant approval for administrators to have release time to attend graduate or post-graduate course work, leaves the services of the District within one (1) year of provided it does not interfere with the completion of the credits, the Professional Employee shall reimburse the District for the same. 4. Professional Employees shall be limited to six (6) online credits per year, unless the Professional Employee is enrolled in an approved Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree program which requires more online courses. 5job responsibilities. At the Professional Employeeemployee’s request, the District will pre-pay tuition upon enrollment for credits, provided the Professional Employee employee has received the necessary pre-approval and submits a completed enrollment form form, which can be sent with the payment to the college or university. Professional Employees who fail to submit verification of grade(s) within forty-five (45) days of completion of the course or who fail to satisfactorily complete the course, course shall reimburse the District district through deductions from their paycheck. Pre-payment Prepayment of college/in-service credits shall be made at the rate of the full tuition charge for credits, unless otherwise reimbursed. 62. Administrators hired for positions that do not require an entry-level bachelor’s degree shall receive reimbursement for undergraduate credits at a rate up to the Bloomsburg University rate in effect during the semester in which the course was taken for a maximum of twelve (12) credits per fiscal year. Course(s) must be taken in an 3. In the event that an administrator who has received such reimbursement leaves the service of the district within one (1) year of the completion of the credits, the administrator shall reimburse the district for the same. When the administrator earns the bachelor’s degree, he/she shall be eligible for graduate/in-service credit as provided above effective during the fiscal year following the award of the bachelor’s degree. The Superintendent has may grant approval for administrators to have release time to attend graduate or post-graduate course work, provided it does not interfere with the right to approve a request for reimbursement completion of more than six (6) credits if in his/her determination the credits shall be a benefit to the educational needs of the Districtjob responsibilities.

Credit Reimbursement. 1. Effective July 1The Graduate Study Reimbursement for employees shall be offered by the Board of Education under the following stipulations: a. Any member of the bargaining unit of the Central Columbia School District desirous of furthering their education to improve knowledge, 2016skill, those Professional Employees taking courses and competence for permanent certification, in an approved Master’s Degree programthe position to which assigned, or may be assigned, is eligible for a graduate study grant. b. Each person participating in the plan must certify that it is their intention to continue as an approved Doctoral Degree programemployee of the Central Columbia School District at least three years after receiving a grant, and in the Employer shall reimburse six (6) credits per year at the Pennsylvania State System event of Higher Education tuition rate or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. For those Professional Employees not taking courses to achieve permanent certification, a Master’s Degree or a Doctoral Degree, the Employer shall reimburse employees to a maximum of six (6) credits per year at the PASSHE tuition rate or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. However, those Professional Employees must take courses found within a Master’s Degree program or Doctoral Degree program for the university in which they are obtaining credits. Effective July 1, 2016, a Doctorate Degree column shall be added voluntary termination prior to the salary scheduleend of that year will repay the school district the grant using the following calculation: a) grants received in the final year of employment will be reimbursed at 100%, PLUS, b) grants received from the date one year before leaving employment to the date two years before leaving employment will be reimbursed at 75%, PLUS, c) grants received from the date two years before leaving employment to the date three years before leaving employment will be reimbursed at 50%. Each step Employees may appeal to the Board to have the provisions of the column shall be $1,000 higher than the corresponding step this clause adjusted based on the Masters+45 columnpersonal extenuating circumstances. 2. Professional Employees wishing to obtain credits outside of the Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree programs shall submit the request to the Superintendent, along with rationale for taking the credits, for approval by the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall approve all credits on a case-by- case basis; however, the Superintendent shall not deny reimbursement for arbitrary capricious reasons. When requested by the Association President, the Superintendent will provide a current, updated list of all professional employees approved/denied credit reimbursement for the school year. These credits shall be eligible for movement on the salary schedule beginning at the start of the next school year. Movement on the salary schedule shall be applied retroactive should receipt of supporting documentation be delayed by the university or college. 3. All courses c. Course(s) must be taken in through an accredited or District approved educational institution and must be related to the Professional Employee’s professional growth within member of the Districtbargaining unit's present or possible future work assignment with the school district. Prior For courses from accredited colleges or universities, prior approval must be obtained in writing for courses, in all areas of education, from the Superintendent superintendent. For courses from other institutions, prior approval must be obtained from the superintendent with final approval by the Act 48 Professional Development Committee. d. Upon satisfactory completion of courses, full-time professional employees working for all reimbursable coursescertification credit beyond a Bachelor's to twenty-four (24) credits will be refunded at the current yearly rate per graduate credit at Bloomsburg University, or will be paid actual cost of credits taken at a college, university or at the approved state in-service program whichever is less. Reimbursement Half-time professional employees will be refunded at one-half (½) the current yearly rate per graduate credit at Bloomsburg University, or will be paid at one- half (½) the actual cost of credits taken at a college, university, or approved state in-service program whichever is less. The maximum number of credits for which reimbursement shall be made only upon successful completion shall be twelve (12) during any one school year (July 1 to June 30). e. Effective 2019-2020, the Board will pay full tuition from any college or university for graduate credits beyond the twenty-four credits not to exceed the Bloomsburg University Graduate Credit Rate required for certification according to the following formula: • 100% tuition will be paid for graduate credit in which the staff member receives a grade of “A”. • 50% tuition will be paid for graduate credit in which the staff member receives a coursegrade of “B”. In • Any bargaining unit member who is required to take courses, certificate programs, or degree programs (i.e. Chapter 339 Programs) by the event Employer or by virtue of their respective assignment shall not be subject to the Bloomsburg University Graduate Credit Rate cap. *Notwithstanding the aforementioned, bargaining unit members who are either enrolled in a Professional Employee course or a degree program prior to the ratification of this Agreement shall continue to be eligible for full tuition reimbursement at any college or university until the latter of when the member completes the course or completes the degree/certificate program. f. No refund will be made for costs of textbooks, lecture notes, registration, library, laboratory fees, or other miscellaneous fees; nor will refund be made for tuition or other educational assistance or other grants. g. No grant will be given for those individuals who receives such reimbursementare on sabbatical leave. h. After the employee has attained permanent certification, leaves all credits must be on a graduate level, unless preapproved by the services of the District within one (1) year of the superintendent. i. After satisfactory completion of the creditscourse(s), official transcripts and receipts must be submitted to the Professional Employee shall reimburse the District business office for the samereimbursement. 4. Professional Employees j. The amount available for Graduate Study Grants for professional employees shall be limited to six (6) online credits per year, unless the Professional Employee is enrolled $100,000 in an approved Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree program which requires more online courses. 5. At the Professional Employee’s request, the District will pre2019-pay tuition upon enrollment for credits, provided the Professional Employee has received the necessary pre2020; $103,000 in 2020-approval and submits a completed enrollment form which can be sent with the payment to the college or university. Professional Employees who fail to submit verification of grade(s) within forty2021; $106,090 in 2021-five (45) days of completion of the course or who fail to satisfactorily complete the course, shall reimburse the District through deductions from their paycheck. Pre2022; $109,273 in 2022-payment of college/in2023; $112,551 in 2023-service credits shall be made at the rate of the full tuition charge for credits, unless otherwise reimbursed. 62024; $115,928 in 2024-2025. The Superintendent has the right to approve grants will be distributed on a request for reimbursement of more than six (6) credits if in his/her determination the credits shall be a benefit to the educational needs of the Districtfirst-come, first- served basis.

Credit Reimbursement. 1. Effective July 1, 2016, those Professional Employees taking courses for permanent certification, in an approved Master’s Degree program, or an approved Doctoral Degree program, the Employer The Board shall reimburse six teachers for graduate credits at the New Jersey State College tuition rate with a maximum of twelve (612) credits per school year at the Pennsylvania State System per teacher upon receipt of Higher Education tuition rate or the equivalent amount an official transcript showing satisfactory completion of reimbursement when calculating the ratea course with a passing grade. For those Professional Employees not taking courses to achieve permanent certification, a Master’s Degree or a Doctoral Degree, the Employer shall reimburse employees to a maximum of six (6) credits per year at the PASSHE tuition rate or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. However, those Professional Employees must take courses found within a Master’s Degree program or Doctoral Degree program for the university in which they are obtaining credits. Effective July 1, 2016, a Doctorate Degree column shall be added to the salary schedule. Each step of the column shall be $1,000 higher than the corresponding step on the Masters+45 column. 2. Professional Employees wishing to obtain credits outside of the Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree programs shall submit the request to the Superintendent, along with rationale for taking the credits, for It is also agreed that prior notification and approval by the SuperintendentSuperintendent before enrollment in any course or program is mandatory to eliminate a misunderstanding after completion of a course or program as to whether or not it qualifies for reimbursement. The Superintendent shall approve all credits on a case-by- case basis; however, the Superintendent shall Approval will not deny reimbursement be withheld for arbitrary capricious reasons. When requested by the Association President, the Superintendent will provide a current, updated list of all professional employees approved/denied credit reimbursement for the school year. These credits shall be eligible for movement on the salary schedule beginning at the start of the next school year. Movement on the salary schedule shall be applied retroactive should receipt of supporting documentation be delayed by the university or college. 3. All courses must be taken in an accredited or District approved educational institution and must be directly related to the Professional Employee’s professional growth within the Districtteacher's field of study, courses required in a degree program in your major field of study or courses required in a Master of Education program. Prior All other courses need prior Superintendent approval must be obtained before enrollment in writing from the Superintendent order to qualify for all reimbursable courses. Reimbursement reimbursement which shall be made only upon successful completion at the Superintendent's discretion. The Board of Education will appropriate a courseyearly amount of $60,000 during the term of this contract for credit reimbursement under this Article. In the event the total amount sought by all of a Professional Employee who receives such the members shall exceed the pre-stated limit for credit reimbursement, leaves such excess shall be borne by the services members, prorata. Course credits taken during the summer and fall sessions will be reimbursed in February of that school year. All course work applications for the spring term of each school year must be submitted for approval ten (10) days prior to the second regular Board meeting of the District within one Phillipsburg Board of Education in February. Effective with the 1992-93 school year, the following reimbursement schedule shall be enacted: (1a) year Course credits taken during the summer shall be reimbursed in October at fifty per cent (50%) of the completion of the credits, the Professional Employee shall reimburse the District for the same. 4. Professional Employees shall total due to be limited to six (6) online credits per year, unless the Professional Employee is enrolled in an approved Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree program which requires more online courses. 5. At the Professional Employee’s request, the District will pre-pay tuition upon enrollment for credits, provided the Professional Employee has received the necessary pre-approval and submits a completed enrollment form which can be sent with the payment to the college or university. Professional Employees who fail to submit verification of grade(s) within forty-five (45) days of completion of the course or who fail to satisfactorily complete the course, shall reimburse the District through deductions from their paycheck. Pre-payment of college/in-service credits shall be made at the rate of the full tuition charge for credits, unless otherwise reimbursed. 6(b) Course credits taken during the fall and the remaining fifty per cent (50%) of summer course reimbursement shall be paid in February, provided that the notifications of courses being taken in the spring, added to the summer and fall courses, will not yield a total reimbursement amount exceeding the Board's appropriation for that year. The Superintendent has If the right total reimbursements requested for the full school year exceed that appropriation, reimbursement in February shall be adjusted prorata among all applicants to approve a request cover the difference between the requested reimbursements and the available funds. (c) Course credits taken during the spring and submitted for reimbursement of more no less than six fourteen (614) credits if days prior to the second pay period in his/her determination the credits June shall be a benefit to reimbursed no later than the educational needs second pay period in June, at their full amount or at the prorated amount described in Paragraph "b." above. If less than full reimbursement was made in February, and the number of requests for actual reimbursement for spring courses is less than the Districtnumber of notifications, then the remaining available funds shall be added into the following year's allotment.

Credit Reimbursement. ‌ Section 1. Effective July 1Prior approval by the full-time bargaining unit member's Supervisor and the Superintendent must be obtained before a bargaining unit member registers for a course or courses in accordance with District procedure. To be considered for reimbursement a course must be part of the pre-approved courses taken from the schools identified in Exhibit C of this Agreement and be reasonably related to the staff member’s current position or to another position which the staff member intends to pursue and in which it is reasonable to expect the District to have a future interest. At the sole discretion of the Administration, 2016, those Professional Employees taking courses for permanent from schools not listed in Exhibit B may be approved as well based upon needs of the school district or prescribed programs of staff members. Such pre-approved courses must lead to a degree or certification, reasonably relevant to the staff member’s assignment or to another position which the staff member intends to pursue and in an approved Master’s Degree program, which it is reasonable to expect the District to have a future interest. Section 2. Upon successful completion of a course or an approved Doctoral Degree programcourses, the Employer shall Credit Reimbursement/Salary Advancement Form must be submitted to the Superintendent. Section 3. The District will reimburse six each full-time bargaining unit member fifty percent (650%) credits per year at of the Pennsylvania State System tuition cost for courses taken with the approval of Higher Education tuition rate or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. For those Professional Employees not taking courses to achieve permanent certificationSuperintendent, a Master’s Degree or a Doctoral Degree, the Employer shall reimburse employees up to a maximum total of six (6) credits credit hours per year at semester during the PASSHE tuition rate fall and winter semesters as defined below provided a grade of B or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. However, those Professional Employees must take courses found within a Master’s Degree program or Doctoral Degree program for the university in which they are obtaining credits. Effective July 1, 2016, a Doctorate Degree column shall be added to the salary schedule. Each step of the column shall be $1,000 higher than the corresponding step on the Masters+45 column. 2. Professional Employees wishing to obtain credits outside of the Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree programs shall submit the request to the Superintendent, along with rationale for taking the credits, for approval by the Superintendentbetter is achieved. The Superintendent shall approve all credits on a casefull-by- case basis; however, the Superintendent shall not deny reimbursement for arbitrary capricious reasons. When requested by the Association President, the Superintendent will provide a current, updated list of all professional employees approved/denied credit reimbursement for the school year. These credits shall be eligible for movement on the salary schedule beginning at the start of the next school year. Movement on the salary schedule shall be applied retroactive should receipt of supporting documentation be delayed by the university or college. 3. All courses time bargaining unit member must be taken in an accredited or District approved educational institution and must be related to the Professional Employee’s professional growth within the District. Prior approval must be obtained in writing from the Superintendent for all reimbursable courses. Reimbursement shall be made only upon successful completion of a course. In the event of a Professional Employee who receives such reimbursement, leaves the services of the District within one (1) year of the completion of the credits, the Professional Employee shall reimburse the District for the same. 4. Professional Employees shall be limited to six (6) online credits per year, unless the Professional Employee is enrolled in an approved Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree program which requires more online courses. 5. At the Professional Employee’s request, the District will pre-pay tuition upon enrollment for credits, provided the Professional Employee has received the necessary pre-approval and submits a completed enrollment form which can be sent with the payment to the college or university. Professional Employees who fail to submit verification of grade(s) within forty-five (45) days of completion of the course or who fail to satisfactorily complete the course, shall reimburse the District through deductions from their paycheck. Pre-payment of college/in-service credits shall be made at the rate of the full tuition charge for credits, unless otherwise reimbursed. 6. The Superintendent has the right to approve a request for reimbursement within ninety (90) days of more than six (6) credits if in his/her determination receipt of the credits final Section 4. For the purposes of this section, semesters shall be a benefit to defined as classes held in the educational needs fall (during September through December), winter (during January through May), and summer (during June through August). Courses not fitting exactly in the above listed timetable shall be approved at the discretion of the Superintendent. Section 5. The District will reimburse the Network Administrator and Computer Repair Managers for all costs incurred for workshops and/or online training taken to achieve computer certifications which will directly benefit the District, and which have been approved in advance in writing by the District. The procedure for obtaining reimbursement for such costs will be the same for credit reimbursement above. Section 6. An employee who voluntarily leaves employment with the New Hope-Solebury School District between 0 and 12 months of having received tuition reimbursement shall repay 100% of the tuition reimbursement checks received during that period from their final paycheck. An employee who voluntarily leaves employment with the New Hope-Solebury School District after 12 months but before 24 months of having received tuition reimbursement shall repay 50% of the tuition reimbursement checks received during that 24 month period from their final paycheck. Section 7. Instructional assistants who take Act 14 professional development shall be paid at their hourly rate if and only if the District does not provide training.

Credit Reimbursement. 1. Effective July 1, 2016, those Professional Employees taking courses for permanent certification, in an approved Master’s Degree program, or an approved Doctoral Degree program, the Employer shall reimburse six (6) credits per year at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education tuition rate or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. For those Professional Employees not taking courses to achieve permanent certification, a Master’s Degree or a Doctoral Degree, the Employer shall reimburse employees to a maximum of six (6) credits per year at the PASSHE tuition rate or the equivalent amount of reimbursement when calculating the rate. However, those Professional Employees must take courses found within a Master’s Degree program or Doctoral Degree program for the university in which they are obtaining credits. Effective July 1, 2016, a Doctorate Degree column shall be added to the salary schedule. Each step of the column shall be $1,000 higher than the corresponding step on the Masters+45 column. 2. Professional Employees wishing to obtain credits outside of the Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree programs shall submit the request to the Superintendent, along with rationale for taking the credits, for approval by the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall approve all credits on a case-by- case basis; however, the Superintendent shall not deny reimbursement for arbitrary capricious reasons. When requested by the Association President, the Superintendent will provide a current, updated list of all professional employees approved/denied credit reimbursement for the school year. These credits shall be eligible for movement on the salary schedule beginning at the start of the next school year. Movement on the salary schedule shall be applied retroactive should receipt of supporting documentation be delayed by the university or college. 3. All courses must be taken in an accredited or District approved educational institution and must be related to the Professional Employee’s professional growth within the District. Prior approval must be obtained in writing from the Superintendent for all reimbursable courses. Reimbursement shall be made only upon successful completion of a course. In the event of a Professional Employee who receives such reimbursement, leaves the services of the District within one (1) year of the completion of the credits, the Professional Employee shall reimburse the District for the same. 4. Professional Employees shall be limited to six (6) online credits per year, unless the Professional Employee is enrolled in an approved Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree program which requires more online courses. 5. At the Professional Employee’s request, the District will pre-pay tuition upon enrollment for credits, provided the Professional Employee has received the necessary pre-approval and submits a completed enrollment form which can be sent with the payment to the college or university. Professional Employees who fail to submit verification of grade(s) within forty-five (45) days of completion of the course or who fail to satisfactorily complete the course, shall reimburse the District through deductions from their paycheck. Pre-payment of college/in-service credits shall be made at the rate of the full tuition charge for credits, unless otherwise reimbursed. 6. The Superintendent has the right to approve a request for reimbursement of more than six (6) credits if in his/her determination the credits shall be a benefit to the educational needs of the District.